Gas lighter



Feb. 6, 1968 L. BOURDERAU 3,367,148

F/g. A.

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. Lo uis Bo urderau GAS .7c INVENTOR.

39" ay g Attorney Feb. 6, 1968 BOURDERAU 3,357,148

GAS LIGHTER Filed July 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 1 Louis Bourderau N VE N TOR.

ss BY Q United States Patent O 3,367,148 GAS LIGHTER Louis Bourderau, 102 Champs Elysees, Paris 8eme, France Filed July 8, 1965, Ser. No. 470,514 Claims priority, application France, June 9, 1965, 20,043, Patent 88,240 6 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A gas-lighter comprising a fuel reservoir; a plunger extending into the reservoir and axially shiftable therein, the plunger being formed with a nozzle and a passage for delivering fuel to the nozzle; a flint-carrying tube mounted on said plunger and extending longitudinally therealong While terminating at an upper end of' the plunger externally of the reservoir; and igniting means on the plunger including a flint received in the tube and a striker roller cooperating with the flint for igniting a flame at the nozzle; and valve means operable upon displacement of the plunger for selectively opening and blocking communication through the passage between the nozzle and the reservoir.

This invention relates to a gas-lighter of simple and inexpensive construction, in particular comprising only a limited number of parts, thus enabling it to be thrown away after use.

The complex nature of previously proposed lighters arises from the fact that generally the tension device for the flint and the closure member extend separately into the gas reservoir.

According to the present invention there is provided a gas lighter comprising a fuel reservoir, a head carrying an ignition device, a burner, a supply tube for delivering fuel to the burner and a flint-carrying tube, the supply tube and the flint-carrying tube being enclosed in a common well in the reservoir provided for this purpose.

Other details and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, which is given with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a gas lighter according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a detail View of this embodiment, showing the movable parts in another operative position;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged View of a modification; and

FIG. 2A is a detail view of this modification showing parts thereof in other positions.

Each lighter is Constructed in two parts: a body forming a reservoir R for the fuel and a head or plunger T. This head is rigid, with a flint provided with tube 4 carrying a closely-fitting flint 13 in its upper -part (as shown in the drawing) biased against a striker roller or friction wheel 1, with a serrated or milled periphery, by a spring 12.

The second part is constituted by the tube 5 of a synthetic resin or a metal and a synthetic-resin or metal base joined thereto by suitable means; a hole 5a is bored in an axial sleeve 56 which depends from an upper end of the body of the reservoir 5. A step 5c disposed transversely to the hole is formed with a central hole 5c in which a skirt 7a is slidable.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the interior of the tube 4, which also serves as a tube for the supply of gas, communicates with the burner 14 through a passage 15.

The lower end of the tube 4 which is provided with a bottom 4a having a central opening 4a' is screw-threaded 3,367,148 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 externally and carries the skirt 7a of an adjustment member 7 provided with two lugs 7b and with a transverse duct 7c.

A wad of compressible filter material disposed between the bottom 4a and the member 7 is squeezed to a greater or lesser degree between these parts in order to vary its gas-flow-impeding function and thus control the length of the flame at the exit of the burner 14.

The end of the tube 5a is slotted at two diametrically opposite positions (5a', 5a) and these slots receive the lugs 7b.

The internal diameter of the lower end of the tube 5a is such that an annular channel serves to accommodate a return spring 11 and provide communication between the reservoir R and the hole 7c when the head B is thrust downwardly with the tube 5a, 7 to bring aperture 7c below a seal 8.

The seal 8, held by a ring 10, ensures, on the one hand fluid-tightness between the partition 5c and the member 7 and on the other hand the closure of the arrangement constituting the valve.

The operation of the lighter (FIG. 1) is as follows: with the lighter reservoir R held upright in the hand, a finger by its initial pressure action depresses the head which has the effect of releasing the gas in the following manner: the tube carrying the flint which is rigid with the cap moves downwardly with the control member 7 to bring the hole 7c below the seal 8 and into communication with the gas in the reservoir (FIG. 1A). The gas reaches the filter element 9 which has been previously suitably squeezed between the control member 7 and the flint-carrying tube 4 which has in its base the hole 4a for the delivery of gas; after passing through the diffuser or filter, the gas proceeds through the interior of the flintcarrying tube 4, and the delivery tube 14 provided for its passage to the exterior. It should be pointed out that the tube 4 is constructed in such manner that the gas flows only with difficulty between the flint 13 and the flint-carrying tube 4, this having the effect of directing it towards the flame nozzle which has a flow cross section most favorable for its delivery. In the second phase of the movement, the finger resting on the serrated wheel causes rotation of the latter from which sparks issue, and cornes to rest at the completion of the rotation on the surface of thev head B provided for this purpose. Ignition of the gas occurs and, as long as the pressure at B is maintained, the capflint-carrying assembly remains depressed and the flame continues to burn. As soon as the finger relaxes the pressure at B, the assembly returns to its original position through the action of the return spring 11 returning to its rest position, which causes the stoppage of the gas ilow, the hole 7c no longer being in communication with the reservoir R. The flame is controlled in the following manner: the ignition operation having been effected as described above, the screwing of the cap assembly B, T and 4 relative to the control member 7, which is held against rotation by the lugs 7b, causes the compression of the filter 9, whence the flame is enlarged; the two lugs 7b engage in the two slots 5a', 5a" provided in the tube 5 thereby holding the control member 7 against turning, while leaving this member free to move vertically in order to permit the depression of the cap-fiint-carrying assembly. The lugs, abutting the closed ends of the slots, prevent the assembly from rising further than necessary under spring action.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2 and FIG. 2A, the other part comprises the body 5 of synthetic-resin or metal, partially closed by an upper end portion 5b, provided with a central tube 5a, depending from the said end and a lower end portion 6 provided with a refilling plug.

The lower end 4b of the iiint carrier tube 4 is drilled longitudinally with a bore 4a (preferably this bore is bored to a diameter larger than necessary, a regulating needle 16 reducing the section) communicating with at least one radial duct 4c. The lower end 4b of the int carrier 4 is internally threaded into the narrower part 25a of the bore 25a, in such manner as to compress to a greater or lesser extent an annular seal 29 of fibrous or soft material, disposed above the filter 17 overlying the opening of the primary bore 5c which engages a wick 18.

The upper part 4d of the flint-carrier tube 4 is of polygonal section, of a shape complementary to that of the passage 3a of the head T in which it is slidable.

This assembly allows, upon rotation of the head T, the turning of the flint carrier and the adjustment of the compression of the seal 29 and the length of the iiame delivered from the burner 14.

The head T is extended towards the lower end Iby a hollow extension 3b which will be termed a skirt. This skirt is concentric with the tube 4 defining with the latter an annular passage 19 for the delivery of gas to the burner 14. This passage 19 communicates with the duct 4c when the downwards movement of the head T causes the deformation of the annular seal 20 engaged in the steps of the tube 4 and of the skirt 3b.

Fluid-tight seals are provided, for example, at 21 and 22 in order to prevent the escape of gas.

It thus suffices to press on the protuberance B in order to cause, by the downward movement of the head T, the opening of the gas circuit.

I claim:

1. A gas lighter comprising a fuel reservoir; a plunger extending into said reservoir and axially shiftable therein, said plunger being formed with a nozzle and a passage for delivering fuel to said nozzle; a dint-carrying tube mounted in said plunger and extending longitudinally the-realong while terminating at an upper end of said plunger externally of said reservoir; and igniting means on said plunger including a flint received in said tube and a striker roller cooperating with said int for igniting a ame at said nozzle; and valve means operable upon displacement of said plunger for selectively opening and blocking communication through said passage between said nozzle and said reservoir.

2. A gas lighter defined in claim 1 wherein said plunger is provided with a gas supply tube coaxial with the flintcarrying tube and forming said passage.

3. A gas lighter dened in claim 1 wherein said tube forms at least part of said passage.

4. A gas lighter as defined in claim 1, further comprising a compressible porous member disposed in said passage between said tube and said plunger, and means for axially shifting said tube and said plunger relatively to selectively compress said member.

5. A gas lighter as deiined in claim 1, further comprising a spring coaxial with said tube and bearing upon said reservoir for resisting displacement of said plunger and restoring said plunger to its original -position upon its displacement to eliect communication between said reservoir and said nozzle.

6. A gas lighter as defined in claim 1 wherein said reservoir is formed with a downwardly extending sleeve, said plunger being coaxially received in said sleeve and shiftable relatively thereto, said tube being provided with a spring for urging said flint against said striking member.

FOREIGN PATENTS 476,085 12/1937 Great Britain.

EDWARD J. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

